Telephone coin system



Dec. 4, 1934. w. J. HElTSMlTH 1,982,735

TELEPHONE COIN SYSTEM Filed March 7, 1934 INVENTOR WJHl'iJ/filf/Z BY WATTORNEY Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES TELEPHONE oonv SYSTEMWilliam Jennings Heits'mith, Ridgefield Park,

N. J assignor to American Telephone and Telegraph Company, a corporationof New York Application March 7, 1934, Serial No. 714,501 1 -12 Claims.(01. 179-63) This invention relates to telephone systems, and moreparticularly to systems wherein mechanism is located at a substation forreceiving coins of different denominations.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a. system of theabove character in which the substation circuit includes a handset andassociated equipment.

Another object is to provide signaling mechanism at the substationwhereby the central office operator is apprised of the denominations ofthe coins deposited.

A further object consists in minimizing interference in the talkingcircuit due to the transmission of coin sound signals thereover.

A further object consists in connecting the signaling mechanism at thetime a coin is deposited and in disconnecting it after the coin signalhas been given, thereby avoiding transmission losses and also fraudulentoperation.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in whichcertain embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of acoin station shown with line conductors extending to a central stationand Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are modifications of Fig. 1. The central stationconnection and details of the coin chute illustrated in Fig. 1 beingcommon throughout all of the figures, these portions are omitted fromFigs. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The coin collecting arrangement herein shown is adapted for use inconnection with prepayment service such as disclosed in Patent No.1,043,219, November 5, 1912, Forsberg, or in connection withpost-payment service such as disclosed in Pate ent No. 1,376,814, May 3,1921, Jacobsen. For the purpose of simplification the coin collectingand refunding mechanism and associated arrangements have been omitted.For the purposes of this invention coin collecting mechanism is shown ateach of the local subscribers stations illustrated in the severalfigures of the drawing. The stations are each connected over lineconductors L and L and through typical switching equipment, such asdisclosed in the publication Automatic Telephony, 1914, Smith andCampbell, page 118, Fig. 95, through a central station B to a calledstation. The central station is shown in Fig. 1 for the purpose ofillustration as terminating at an operators position. The coin stationapparatus as more specifically shown in Fig. 1, includes a plurality ofcoin chutes 6,

7 and 8, each of which is adapted to receive a coin of a particulardenomination and convey it to signal controlling apparatus. The coinstations are each provided with a plurality of levers 9, 10 and 11 whichare pivoted on a .common shaft 12 as shown in Fig. 1. The free ends ofthe levers 9, 10 and 11 project into the'various chutes, one lever foreach chute. Fingers 9', 10" andll' are provided for the respectivelevers, and each of these fingers is adapted to enter the chutes whenany of the levers is depressed under the weight of a coin. When thefingers so enter the chutes the progress of any, additional coin downthe chutesis arrested. A lever 11 is shown as provided with a lug 13(Figs. l and 2) for the purpose of illustration, it being understoodthat this lug may be connected to any point so that it may be common tothe shaft 12. The levers 9, 10 and 11 are positioned below the pointswhere coins are rejected. The lug' is caused to rotate with the shaft 12and engage a spring 14 when any one of thelevers is depressed under theweight of a coin which makes contact therewith in its downward passagein any of the chutes. Additional coins are arrested in the chutes atthis time by the fingers 9', 10 and ll as previously described. Thespring 14 is moved to the right when thus engaged by the lug 13 and itsfree end is held in locked position by the tongue of a pivoted latch 15.An

arm 16 is pivotally connected atone end to the latch 15 and at its otherend to a trigger 1'7. This trigger is pivotally mounted and its free endprojects into the various chutes and is depressed upon the passage of acoin through any of the chutes. When the trigger is thus actuated, itcauses the arm 16 to move upwardly and unlatch the members 14 and 15.The passage of a coin through the chutes 6, 7 or 8 in this manner.separates springs 14 and '18 and opens the zero resistance shunt atcontact 19 around auxiliary transmitter 20 and resistance 20', therebyplacing these elements in the coin signaling circuit. This circuitextends from battery at the central station B, winding of marginal relay21, 1 one winding of repeating coil, line conductor L, one winding ofsubstation induction coil, transmitterelement of handset 24, pulsingspring 25 of dial 26, lead 23, auxiliary transmitter 20, re- I sistance20', switch hook contact 27, line conductor L', other winding ofrepeating coil to ground. Theresistance 20' and the transmitter 20effect a change in the signaling circuit which causes the release of themarginal relay 21 in the central station. Therelease of the marginalrelay 21 may be utilized to signal the central station operator, bylighting lamp 42 or may be used to control mechanical equipment in amanner similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 1,376,814, May 3, 1921,Jacobsen. The closing of this circuit also completes a connection withthe central station operator by means of the receiver 28 so that audiblesignals may be transmitted from the coin station to the central stationB in a well known manner.

The coin signaling circuit being prepared, as above outlined, is adaptedto reproduce audible signals, and the coin traveling downward in any ofthe chutes, after operating thelever 6, '7 or 8 will sound a signal suchas a bell 29 or a gong 30 as the case may be. The bell and gong areinter-connected by the strut 31 or the like, and the auxiliarytransmitter 20 is mechanically connected with the member 31. The signalgiven by the bell or gong is transmitted to the central station B oversaid signaling circuit and the operator is apprised of the denominationof the coin deposited by virtue of the particular signal which has beensounded. The coin continues its downward travel after sounding thesignal and strikes the trigger 1'7 which causes the link arm 16 to beraised, thus unlatching the members 14 and 15, re-establishing contact19. The coin may now be collected or refunded in the usual manner whereprepayment coin boxes are used utilizing for this purpose the usual coindisposal equipment, which as mentioned above has been omitted forsimplicity. It is desirable to increase the length of time theresistance 20' is included in the circuit over the conductors L and L toinsure the release of the marginal relay 21 or other signal controllingelement such as in "caseswhere post-payment coin boxes are used such asis disclosed in the Jacobsen patent previously referred to. The timeelement involved in the passage of the coin between any of the levers 9,10 or 11 and the trigger-1'7 may be varied by construction so, as to besuitable for the particular condition at the central station ample forthis purpose. Contact'19, upon beingreestablished, restores the shortcircuit about the auxiliary transmitter 20 and resistance 20, therebyremoving them from the circuit. It will be obvious that the auxiliarytransmitter is connected with the talking circuit for a period of timesufiicient for the central station operator to hear the coin signals,and it is then disconnected after such signals have been transmitted toprevent transmission interference due either to the audible vibrationsof the bell 29 or gong 30 or to the resistance of the auxiliarytransmitter.

The system illustrated in Fig. 2 is similar in operation to that shownand described in con-- nection with Fig. 1, with the exception that inFig. 2 the usual subscribers transmitter of hand set 24 isshort-circuited during the transmission of the coin tone signals. Thisis accomplished by the closure of contacts 33 when the coin actuates anyof the lever arms and causes the rotation of the shaft 12 and thelatching engagement of the springs 14 and 15. This engagement of thesprings causes the opening of contact 19 of spring 18, as previouslydescribed, and the closure Of contact 33, between the springs 14 and 32.The closing of contact 33 establishes a zero resistance circuit aroundthe transmitter element of the handset 24. The opening. of contact 19removes the zero resistance circuit around the auxiliary transmitter 20and resistance'20' and thus connects the auxiliary transmitter andresistance in the coin signaling circuit over the conductors L and L tothe central station B, as previously described. The short circuiting ofthe transmitter element 24 is completed over a path extending from onelead of transmitter element of handset 24, lead 34, spring 32, contact33, spring 14, lead 23, dial 26, to other lead of transmitter element24. This short circuit prevents fraudulent sisnaling by means of tonessimulating coin signals by the subscriber through the agency of histelephone instrument.

Fig- 3 illustrates an electromagnetic transmitter which functions in thewell known manner. This form of transmitter may be substituted for theauxiliary coin signal carbon-type transmitter 20 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and5. The circuit operation of Fig. 3 is similar to that outlined inconnection with Fig. l.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 4 shows the shaft 12 as having aweight 35 connected therewith to retard the restoral of any leversextending into the coin chute similarly to the levers 9, l0 and 11,shown in Fig. 1. The trigger 1'7 is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, buthas a weight 36 to said shaft which retards its restoral. The actionproduced by the weights 35 and 36 introduces a time interval upon thepassage of a coin through the chute 5. This interval is sufficient topermit the transmission of a coin signal to the central station operatoror to mechanical equipment and to then restore the line to normal afterthe coin has passed the trigger 1'7. The combined electromagnetictransmitter and relay 3'7, similarly to the auxiliary transmitter 20 inFig. 1, is mechanically connected to the bell 29 and gong 30. The member37 in addition to functioning as a transmitter also serves as a relaywhich opens and closescontact 40 to insure the inclusion of said member3'7 in the circuit in the event of the premature restcral of any of thelevers such as'lever 11, before the coin has actuated trigger 1'7. Inthe operation of the mechanism disclosedin Fig. 4, the lever 11 isdepressed under the weight of a coin, thereby causing weight 35 toseparate springs 18 and 14 opening contact 19. The opening of contact 19removes a short circuit around the element 37, thereby causing it tofunction as a relay in order to open contact 40. The transmitter element3'7, is now adapted to transmit coin or audible signals over the lines22 and 23 as shown in Fig. 1 and thence over lines Land L to the centraloflice B as described in connection with Fig. 1. The coin, continuingits passage down the chute, contacts with the bell 29,01 gong 30, andthen strikes the trigger 1'7. Thiscauses the trigger to be depressed andactuate weight 36 to a position in contact with spring 38, which springis moved against spring 39, thereby completing a short circuit aroundelement 37. This element then releasesand is then disconnected from thesignaling circuit over conductors 22 and 23, and from conductors L andL, as described in connection with the auxiliary transmitter 20 inFig. 1. The coin actuating the lever 11 thus causes the insertion of theelement 37, and the operation of the trigger 17 causes the removal ofsaid element.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 is similar in operation to the inertiaarrangementdisclosed Fig. 4. In this instance, an auxiliary transmitter20 similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is mechanically connected tothe bell 29 and song 30. The passageof a coin through the chute 5actuates the lever 11 and its associated weight 35, strikes the bell 29or gong 30 and then depresses the trigger 1'7 and its attached weight36. A time interval is thus provided similar to that described inconnection with the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 4, whereby the coinsignal is then restored to normal after the coin has passed the trigger.

While the arrangements have been herein disclosed and described inconnection with handset equipment, it will be obvious that they areequally adapted to be used with other types of telephone sets.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a chute for receiving a coin, a signaling deviceactuated by coins passing through said chute and emitting sounds toindicate the coin has been deposited, means-for transmitting such soundsto the central station over the line circuit, and switching meansactuated upon the dc posit of a coin for connecting said first mentionedmeans to the line circuit and for disconnecting said first mentionedmeans after the sounds have been transmitted.

2. In combination, a telephone line circuit ex- 7 tending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins of differentdenomination, signaling mechanism in the collecting device fortransmitting an audicircuit to transmit said tone and to disconnect saidmechanism after the tone has. been transmitted.

3. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins of differentdenomination, signaling means actuated by coins passing through saidchutes and emitting sounds in accordance with the denomination of thecoin deposited, means for transmitting such sounds to the centralstation over the line circuit, and levers extending into said chutes forconnecting said last mentioned means to the line circuit to convey thesounds and to disconnect said means after the sounds have beentransmitted.

4. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a chute for receiving a coin, visual means at thecentral station for indicating the deposit of a coin, a signaling deviceat the substation actuated by coins passing through said chute andemitting sounds to indicate the coin has been deposited, means fortransmitting such sounds to the central station over the line circuitand for operating said visual means, and switching means actuated uponthe deposit of a coin for connecting said last mentioned means to theline circuit and for disconnecting said means after the sound have beentransmitted. 5. In combination a telephone line circuit extendingbetween a substation and a central station, a coin collecting device atthe substation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins ofdifferent denomination, visual means at the central station to indicatethe deposit of a coin, signaling mechanism in the collecting device fortransmitting an audible tone to the central station to denote thedenomination of the coin deposited and for operating said visual means,and coin actuated levers extending into said chutes for connecting thesignaling mechanism to'the line circuit to. transmit said tone and todisconnect said signaling mechanism after the tone has been transmitted,said visual means being extinguished upon the disconnection of saidsignaling mechanism. I

6. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and acentral station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins of differentdenomination, levers extending into said chutes actuated by the depositof a coin, and means for arresting the progress in the chutes ofadditional .coins until said levers have assumed their normal position.

7. In combination, a telephone linecircuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins of differentdenomination, signaling means actuated by coins passing through saidchutes and emitting sounds in accordance with the denomination of coindeposited, transmitting means for conveying such sounds to the centralstation over the line circuit, levers extending into said chutes andactuated by the deposit of a coin, switching means controlled by theactuation of said levers for connecting the transmitting means to theline circuit and for disconnecting said means after the sounds have beentransmitted, and means for arresting the progress in the chutes ofadditional coins until said levers have assumed their normal positions.

8. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central sta tion, a substation transmitter adapted tobe connected with the line circuit, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins of differentdenomination, signaling mechanism in the collecting device to denote thedenomination of coin deposited, an auxiliary transmitter mechanicallyconnected to the signaling mechanism for conveying coin sounds, coinactuated levers extending into said chutes for connecting the auxiliarytransmitter with the line circuit to transmit said sounds and todisconnect said auxiliary transmitter after the sounds have i beentransmitted, and switching means for disconnecting the substationtransmitter during the interval the sounds are being transmitted.

9. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having a plurality of chutes for receiving coins of 7different denomination, signaling mechanism actuated by coins passingthrough saidchutes and emitting sounds in accordance with thedenomination of coin deposited, a transmitter mechanically connectedwith the signaling mechanism for transmitting such sounds to the centralstation over the line circuit, and coin actuated levers extending intothe upper portion and lower portion of said chutes and sequentiallyoperable to connect said transmitter to the line circuit to convey thesounds and to disconnect said transmitter after the sounds have beenconveyed.

10. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation hav-' ing chutes through which coins travel, signalingmechanism in the coin collecting device for emitting sounds inaccordance with the denomination of the coin passing through the chutes,a transmitting element 'mechanically connected to the signalingmechanism for conveying such sounds to the central station, leversextending into said chutes at different levels and sequentially operatedby the coin in its passage through the chutes, and visual means at thecentral station responsive to the actuation of said levers, thesequential operation of said levers providing such time interval as toinsure the connection and disconnection of said visual means.

11. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having chutes through which coins travel, signaling mechanismin the coincollecting device for emitting sounds in accordance with thedenomination of the coin passing through the chutes, a transmittingelement mechanically connected to the signaling mechanism for conveyingsuch sounds to the central station, levers extending into said chutes atdifferent levels and sequentially operated by the coin in its passagethrough the chutes, and electromechanical means at the central stationresponsive to the actuation of said levers, the sequential operation ofsaid levers providing such time interval as to insure the connection anddisconnection of said electromechanical means.

12. In combination, a telephone line circuit extending between asubstation and a central station, a coin collecting device at thesubstation having chutes through which coins travel, signalingmechanismin the coin collecting device for emitting sounds in accordancewith the denomination of the coin passing through the chutes, atransmitting element for conveying such sounds to the central station,levers extending into said chutes at different levels and sequentiallyoperated by the coin in its passage through the chutes, andelectromechanical means at the central station responsive to theactuation of said levers, the sequential operation of said leversproviding such time interval as to insure the connection anddisconnection of said electromechanical means and means for arrestingthe progress in the chutes of additional coins until said levers haveassumed their normal positions.

WILLIAM J. HEITSMITH.

